NIN Now Serves as Tax ID for Nigerians Under New Tax System — FIRS

• The Federal Inland Revenue Service has clarified that Nigerians no longer need a separate Tax Identification Number, as the National Identification Number now automatically serves as the Tax ID for individuals.

The Federal Inland Revenue Service has announced that the National Identification Number issued by the National Identity Management Commission has automatically become the Tax Identification Number for individual Nigerians.

The clarification was made in a public awareness campaign on the new tax laws shared by the Service on X on Monday.

According to the FIRS, registered businesses will also no longer require a separate Tax Identification Number, as their Corporate Affairs Commission registration number will now serve as their official tax identifier under the new tax system.

The announcement follows public concerns over provisions in the new tax laws requiring a Tax ID for certain transactions, including the operation and ownership of bank accounts.

Explaining the policy, the Service said the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, scheduled to take effect from January 2026, mandates the use of a Tax ID for specific transactions. However, it stressed that the requirement is not new, noting that it has existed since the Finance Act of 2019 and has only been strengthened under the new law.

“The Tax ID unifies all Tax Identification Numbers previously issued by the FIRS and State Internal Revenue Services into a single identifier,” the Service said.

“For individuals, your NIN automatically serves as your Tax ID, while for registered companies, your CAC registration number is used. You do not need a physical card, as the Tax ID is a unique number linked directly to your identity.”

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The FIRS explained that the new system is designed to simplify identification, eliminate duplication, close loopholes for tax evasion, and promote fairness by ensuring that all individuals earning taxable income contribute appropriately.

The Service urged Nigerians to disregard misinformation surrounding the reform, assuring the public that the new tax framework is aimed at improving efficiency and transparency in tax administration.

The clarification comes after comments by the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, who stated that banks will be required to request a Tax Identification Number from all taxable Nigerians under the new tax administration framework beginning January 1, 2026.